One of the eight provinces based in Viti Levu, Fiji's largest island, Tailevu's 755 square kilometers occupy the south-eastern fringe of the island along with some central areas.[1] At the 2017 census, it had a population of 64,552, the fifth largest among the provinces.[2]
Districts
Village in the Nausori Highlands, 2020
Tailevu includes the districts of Bau, Nakelo, Verata, Vugalei, Wainibuka, Dawasamu and Sawakasa.[3] Bau District includes Bau Island, the seat of the Kubuna Confederacy, one of three traditional chiefly hierarchies in Fiji.[4] Kubuna's Paramount Chief, called the Vunivalu of Bau, is generally considered the most senior such chief in Fiji.[4] It also includes the village of Maumi 21 km north-east of Suva, who speak their own dialect, known as Nawakura.[5][6] The population chose to move from a more remote area in 1977.[5]
The main urban area of Tailevu is Nausori with a population of 24,950.[7] The North of Tailevu is the backbone of the Dairy industry in Fiji which helped to establish Rewa Dairy.[8] Also located in the province is the Nausori International Airport, a major transportation hub for domestic and regional travel.[9]
